Lionel Messi and Antonella Rocuzzo Holidaying After WC 2010 - Pictures

Lionel Messi and his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo at Rio de Janeiro beach Holidaying after World Cup 2010

Messi and his girlfriend Antonella taking sunbath

Lionel Messi and his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo leave the Rio de Janeiro beach after the arrival of photographers

World Cup 2010: Football Stars When Kids

World Cup 2010: Football Stars When Kids

ALBERTO GILARDINO (Italy)

ARNE FRIEDRICH (Germany)

BALLACK (Germany)

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER (Germany)

CANNAVARO (Italy)

CASILLAS (Spain)

DECO (Portugal)

FABREGAS (Spain)

GERRARD (England)

GIGGS (England)

HARGREAVES (England)

HENRY (France)

JOSE REYES (Spain)

KLOSE (Germany)

LAMPARD (England)

MESSI (Argentina)

METZELDER (Germany)

NESTA (Italy)

NUNO GOMES (Portugal)

OWEN (England)

RAUL (Spain)

RONALDO (Portugal)

SANTA CRUZ (Paraguay)

SERGIO AGUERO (Argentina)

SERGIO RAMOS (Spain)

TORRES (Spain)

VALDES (Spain)

The above photographs have been taken from Metric-March.LiveJournal.com

Lionel Messi Cleared By Argentina For Beijing Olympics

President of AFA Julio Grondona affirmed that Lionel Messi will compete in the Olympic Games in Beijing, despite the Barcelona wanted him to play for them in the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers.

AFA President said that "if the technical Sergio Batista calls him, he will be (in the competitions), because the norms of the Federation of International Soccer Associations (FIFA)" oblige to concede the soccer player under 23 years.

"Without Messi there isn't team for Argentina," Grondona said and he warned that if Barcelona club does not want to concede Messi "it will open an antecedent that will provoke protests from other clubs."

In declarations to the Spanish daily Sport, Grondona said that "it's logical that Messi plays for Argentina, because Barcelona club has him the whole year" and "are few competitions Messi can play with his national team."

Messi will be 21 years old on June 24 and he has expressed his will to attend the Olympic Games of Beijing.

Thanks AFA, for making Messi's dream come true.

Argentina Draws With Brazil 0-0, Paraguay Leads The Table

Argentina drew with Brazil 0-0 in the World Cup qualifier game in Belo Horizonte's Mineirao stadium even though Argentina dominated the second half.

Brazil played well in the first half. Roberto Abbondanzieri, Argentine goalkeeper produced a outstanding save from Julio Baptista's close range shot.

Argentina's Julio Cruz and substitute Sergio Aguero missed excellent chances while Lionel Messi was foiled by Julio Cesar and fired wide from the rebound in stoppage-time.

Columbia also drew with Ecuador 0-0, making Columbia the only un-beaten country after six matches in the 10-team group. Paraguay lost 2-4 to Bolivia in Bolivia.

Paraguay still lead the 10-team group with 13 points followed by Argentina with 11 points. Columbia are with 10 points and Brazil are placed 4th with 9 points. Uruguay are with 8 points.

Barcelona Between Messi and Olympics

Spanish club Barcelona said on Tuesday that would like to play Argentine striker Lionel Messi in their Champions League preliminary round ties despite his selection for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Barcelona has written to AFA, stating that the rules are on Barcelona's side and Messi should play for them in Champions League preliminary round.

"We have made inquiries, we have had meetings with the AFA and at the end of the day, the decision will be based on the rules. If the rules are on our side, Messi will play the Champions League preliminary round, but we will see if we are forced to let him go or not." -Barcelona

But Messi insisted that he wants to play for Argentina in Beijing Olympics.

"It's up to me and the Olympic Games are something that I am not going to be able to play ever again." - Lionel Messi.

Please Barcelona...leave Messi..you just can't shatter anyone's dream for the Olympics.